Mirko Valdifiori, a former Serie A midfielder with considerable experience at clubs including Empoli, Napoli, and Torino, has embarked on a new career chapter in 2025. After a gradual winding down of his playing career, concluding with Vis Pesaro before his retirement last summer, January marked the start of a fresh challenge: working as a technical collaborator for the Malta national team. He recently shared details of this transition in an interview with Settesere.
“I still remember the first phone call from Emilio De Leo, who was looking for someone to join the national team staff after being appointed head coach,” Valdifiori recounted. “I was on holiday in Dubai with my family, visiting my friend Manolo Gabbiadini, when the phone rang. It was Emilio asking, `Mirko, I need a technical collaborator: do you want to come with me to Malta?` I was waiting for a new opportunity, a spark, and that was it.”
Valdifiori accepted the proposal two months later and made his debut on the bench in March during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Finland. Although Malta lost the match 1-0, he described it as “a good game.”
Asked if he anticipated moving into coaching so quickly, Valdifiori replied, “No, but these are the kinds of opportunities you evaluate, and they can become the right one. For me, it`s a wonderful opportunity with a national team that isn`t too far away and is growing rapidly.” He officially accepted the role in February and debuted during the subsequent international window in March.
Regarding the expectations Malta had of him, he stated, “They primarily asked me to be myself. I approached the role with great humility, aiming to share my experience, build relationships with the players, and earn their trust.” He added about working with De Leo, “Emilio listens, discusses things, and values your input, although he makes the final decisions.” Valdifiori also offered his assessment of the local football standard: “We`ve watched many matches together, and I`d say the level of the Maltese championship is comparable to Italy`s Serie B.”
